0641804-r1-031-14

Mr. Ajello was born in New York at the close of WW II. His ancestry was of both Sicilian Catholic and Russian Jewish descent. From this background he soon realized the importance of differences and the paradox that lies between. His father was an inventor of scale model toys and trains as well as hobby store owner and as a child, Don Ajello was fascinated by these images. Intrigued by what surrounded him he grew up with a strong desire to create. Drawing and sculpting seemed like a natural progression and he completed his education at California Institute of the Arts, California State University, Long Beach and California State University, Fresno ending with a Master’s Degree in sculpting. His current studio is in Santa Rosa, California.

Group shows

  • 1976Design West
    Museum of Science & Industry, Los Angeles, California
  • 1976Group show
    California State University, Fresno Art Gallery, Fresno California.
  • 1977California Crafts X, (Merit Award)
    E.B. Crocker Gallery, Sacramento, California
  • 1978Container Show
    Mill Valley Arts Guild, Mill Valley, California
  • 1978Union Gallery Group show
    San Jose State University, San Jose, California
  • 1978C.E.T.A. Group Art Show
    San Jose Museum, San Jose, California
  • 1978California State Fair Art Show,
    (Honorable Mention)
    Sacramento, California.
  • 1978“From the Real to the Surreal”, Palo Alto Cultural Center
    Palo Alto, California
  • 1978Los Madonas Junior College Art Gallery
    Los Madonas Junior College, Pittsburg California
  • 1982Group Show
    John Bolles Gallery, Santa Rosa, California
  • 1984Sonoma County Arts Council Group Show
    Petaluma Mill, Petaluma, California
  • 1992“The Container Show”, Santa Rosa City Council Chamber, City Hall
    Santa Rosa California
  • 1992Small Works Group Show
    California Museum of Art, Santa Rosa, Calif.
  • 1998Sebastopol Library Show
    Sebastopol Library Gallery, Sebastopol Calif.
  • 2003“Fortunes”, Group Show
    Santa Rosa Cultural Arts Center, Santa Rosa, Calif.
  • 2004“Artists as Activist” , Group Show
    Sebastopol Center for the Arts, Sebastopol, Calif.
  • 2005Small works
    Sebastopol Center for the Arts, Sebastopol Calif.
  • 2005“Born Of Fire” , Group Show
    (Best Of Show Award)
    Sebastopol Center for the Arts, Sebastopol Calif.
  • 2006Backers Dozen
    Quicksilver Mine Company, Forestville Calif.
  • 2008Form & Function
  • 2008Artistry in Wood
    (Most Creative Award)
    Sonoma County Museum, Santa Rosa Calif.
  • 2008Art & Impermanent
    Sebastopol Center of the Arts, Sebastopol Calif.
  • 2009Dualities
    Sebastopol Center of the Arts, Sebastopol Calif.
  • 2009Out Of the Box
    Sebastopol Center of the Arts, Sebastopol Calif.
  • 2009Artistry in Wood
    (Most Creative Award)
    Sonoma County Museum, Santa Rosa Calif.
  • 2010Artistry in Wood
    Sonoma County Museum, Santa Rosa Calif.
  • 2010The Box Show
    Northwest Fine Woodworking Gallery, Seattle Wash.
  • 2010The Funeria Show
    Funeria Art Gallery, Graton, Calif.
  • 2010Members Show
    Sebastapol Art Center, Sebastapol, Calif.

Single Artist Exhibits

  • 1981Los Madonas junior College Art Gallery
    Los Madonas Junior College, Pittsburg Calif.

Donations

  • 2006 -2011Art For The Heart , Fund Raiser , Sonoma State Gallery
    Sonoma State University , Cotati Calif.
  • 2005 – 2010“Calabash” Food For Thought , Aids Food Bank
    Forestville , Calif
  • 2010The Imaginist Fund Raiser, Imaginist Theater Troupe
    Santa Rosa , Calif

Art in Public Locations

  • 1980 CETA Grant , Overfelt Gardens
    San Jose, Calif